Effective May 26, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) for Ontario amended Directive #2, issued under Section 77.7 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) for Health Care Providers (Regulated Health Professionals).  A portion of the amendment states:

“All deferred and non-essential and elective services carried out by Health Care Providers may be gradually restarted, subject to the requirements of this Directive”, and, “Health Care Providers must consider which services should continue to be provided remotely and which services can safely resume in-person with appropriate hazard controls and sufficient PPE”, and, “Health Care Providers must also adhere to the guidance provided by their applicable health regulatory college…”

As Optometrists, we were required to cease providing non-essential services on March 19, 2020 and have been trying to manage patient eye care needs remotely as smoothly as possible in this environment. 

Now, BAYVIEW OPTOMETRY can open again!

BUT with some modifications that adhere to the recommendations of the CMOH and guidelines from our College of Optometrists of Ontario (COO).  Although we were already attending to many safety details, there will be increased diligence to cleaning and disinfection techniques, hand washing, and there are some noticeable changes to the look and operation of the office that will better ensure safety for both patients and staff.  To that end:

• All staff will confirm that a daily self-assessment for symptoms and risk factors of COVID-19 is negative.
• Until further notice, all patient encounters will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY.
• Please come to your appointment promptly and a maximum of 10 minutes early.
• A risk assessment and screening will be performed before every patient interaction, including at the time of scheduling an appointment, at the time of confirming a previously made appointment, and, upon arrival at the office.  Patients should expect questions relating to known symptoms of COVID-19, recent travel history, and, the reason for their visit to the office.  Patients with a positive screening result for COVID-19 will NOT be admitted, and, will be directed to Telehealth Ontario.  Virtual consultation may result in subsequent referral to ophthalmology clinics appropriately equipped to manage symptomatic patients.
• All persons entering the office MUST wear a mask covering their mouth and nose.
• All persons entering the office MUST utilize the vestibule Hand-Sanitizing station.
• All persons entering the office MUST practice physical distancing when possible (>2m) and time they spend in the office will be minimized.  To accomplish this, examinations may be streamlined to pertain to major concerns only.  Frame selection procedures will be expediated.  At this time, no new contact lens teaching sessions will occur, and, some other specialized routine testing may be deferred.
• The total number of persons occupying the office space will be limited.  Patients are asked to come ALONE into the office space.  If absolutely necessary, any patient may have ONE support person accompany them into the office space but not into the examination.  
• Devices that contact patients will be cleaned and disinfected with recognized anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents after every new encounter.
• We have added breath shield protection to the reception area, optical dispensary tables, and, where possible, all examination equipment.
• Waiting room seating has been conformed to adhere to physical distancing principles.
• The use of the public washroom, though not prohibited, will be discouraged.
• Financial transactions will be completed by Credit or Debit card ONLY.  When possible, receipts and prescriptions will be provided electronically.

 
We have strived to minimize changes to our previous operating procedures but given the “new” reality of this viral pandemic risk, there will reduced interaction and more formality.  Please do NOT interpret this as a decreased level of caring.  It is quite the opposite.  We want our entire Optometry family to remain as healthy as possible.
​
In addition, since we have been forced to cancel hundreds of patient visits over the last three months, understand that we will make every effort to reschedule everyone involved as timely as possible.  However, we may be forced to prioritize patients based on perceived urgency and you may have a longer wait than you hoped for a more routine assessment going forward.  We ask our patients for patience as we work through this challenging time.

The Provincial State of Emergency has been extended, so, now we are mandated to remain closed until April 23, 2020.  Indications are that this still could be extended but when allowed back to routine care, "routine" may certainly be different.  We will formulate plans based on guidance from the Ministry of Health, our College of Optometrists, and, our Provincial Association of Optometrists...

For now, we continue to be monitoring our answering machine for messages and trying to respond to more urgent issues.  Email sent to drjim@bayviewoptometry.com is more closely monitored...

Cancellations that have needed to have been made due to this closure are unfortunate.  At this point, we're not sure how people will be worked back into the schedules but we will try to accomplish this as fairly as possible once we better understand the new "normal".

Again, thanks for your patience.  Stay home and keep washing your hands!